Ahmedsinc

Is this a generic E46 problem or one that's generally limited to the M3? If it's broader than just the M3 how on earth did this happen? Are there any overseas threads going in to greater detail on the issue? I'm astounded that a problem like this is appearing on anything other than Soviet bloc and Chinese knockoff shitboxes

So after you spend hundreds of dollars undoing all the tacky made in china crap you'll still end up with a high ish km 328i on cheap quality replica wheels? Love the burnt titanium exhaust tip sleeves though. Best lol in ages!

Dude, you'd pick up a good running M62 for less than half the rebuild cost!!! Who have you been using for the work thus far? Might be worth taking it to Glenn or another reputable indy for another opinion?

Z3 crossbrace is the same as M3. Not overly cheap but, worth the investment from those I know that have fitted them

OT - Tom, your inbox is full

Either you've got way better eyesight than me or you've just outed yourself as a trainspotter! If it is the M50B30 then it's utterly begging for a proper engine swap! LHD is a rather nice place to start a build from too!

Replace the engine with an M52B28. The M52B25 was a crappy midpoint between the B20 & B28. Most auto 323i used a 3.64 final drive, if you still have the auto diff it should be quicker off the line than an auto given the 5 speed Getrags (and I believe the ZF too, though correct me if I'm wrong there) use a 1:1 5th. Did you do the manual swap or was it done by the previous owner? If you bought the car with the conversion already done they might have used a 3.15 or even 3.07 / 2.93 diff. Have a look at the tag on the diff cover, will have the ratio stamped on it. There are plenty of online calculators that will show you the real world differences between diff ratios (engine rpm vs. speed), all you need to know is your 5th gear ratio and tyre size, it does all the thinking for you

I spy Vaders and left hand drive. Wonder if that's the US spec M3 that was on trademe a little while back.....?

Tbh I'm surprised you were willing to loan tools to an individual that believed using rx7 springs on an E30 was a good idea. Take a look at the fartbook page, names can be very useful things to work with. Good luck!!

Send me a pm with your needs, might have what you're looking for bummer the wheels gone though!

Your turd polishing skills are commendable! Paint looks pretty good for a DIY

Unfortunately yes. Thanks for the thought though Surely someone has a ratty old med case 3.15 they could donate in the name of science and a little pocket money??

Funny, always thought the MK4 Golf used a 5x100pcd. You'll probably have more luck rehoming these over on vask than here dude

If you're planning on going back to the stock airbox there's plenty to be had at pick a part. Cheap too

Bummer it's not the complete diff. Pinion tooth count is identical on the .46 & .15 diffs, I need a complete unit to practice on before I go tearing my 3.15LS apart. Cheers for the offer though, if I can find the money in time I could definitely use your S50 midsection!

Doubtful without mods dude. From what I observed the E39 follows a slightly different zorst route than the 36, plus it collects into that weird kidney thing in the centre before going out a single pipe. There's a guy on trademe with a Hiop muffler on a full exhaust section selling for like $50, probably better suited to your needs mate

Well, so far so good. Figured out how to disassemble the E39 diff and retrieved the ring gear. Did the same to the E36 diff and eyeballing the two suggests they're identical. Ring thickness, tooth depth, bolt pattern, thread & depth all look the same. Will be borrowing a vernier caliper and hopefully a micrometer as well later on this week to take some proper measurements, also plan to give Mr Barrie a call and find out what he has to say too. Seems silly to buy a diff when I have the bits I need already, and the opportunity to learn more about the dark art of differentials is too good to pass up. Wish me luck!

Yes, but it's a good start though. Might rip the centre out of the 3.73 and make some comparisons between the ring gear thickness and tooth height etc. Guess it's possible that they completely redesigned the diff internals when the E39 was released, but it would be handy if they didn't!

So I've been doing a bit of digging around on diffs and there's something I'd like to try. According to bimmerdiffs.com the pinion tooth count is the same between 3.15 & 3.46 - both use a 13 tooth pinion gear. Ring gear counts are different - 3.15 uses a 41 tooth, 3.46 has 45 teeth. I have a 45 tooth 188mm ring gear from an E39 3.46 in the shed, but I'd like to get my hands on a complete 3.15 to have a go at swapping the crown wheels. My original idea was to swap the ring & pinion to another E36 case but unfortunately the E39 uses a much shorter input shaft, so that's a no - go. So does anyone have a 3.15 medium case they'd be willing to donate or sell for a small fee? Overall condition is irrelevant as it's purely for research purposes, so if it's leaking oil everywhere or the bearings are stuffed thats perfect Yes I know it would be easier to swap in a 3.46 from a Jap 328i auto but there's no fun to be had in that, is there Thanks in advance

I see the email notifications have been fixed - my inbox just flooded with 30-odd emails from the forum Nice work gents!

Also have an E39 ZF 5HP-19 with torque convertor. Untested, $100

Uhhmmmmm.... found what, Andy?

E30 be damned, shark nose is where it's at! Just a shame the wheels aren't genuine! Beautiful car though - one of these, an E28 with M60 conversion plus a 2002ti are on my bucket list of cars

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-240089175.htm Is this the car? Has been on Trademe for years now, last time I looked at the listing the seller was asking over $30,000. Aside from the ACS bodykit and the muffler tip (might just be the tip, a quick look underneath will soon reveal if it's the real deal. ACS mufflers are just rebadged Remus - score!!) it's all bog standard 540i. The fact it has Racing Dynamics alloys definitely suggests the first owner ticked a couple of option boxes rather than buying a genuine AC. http://www.ac-schnitzer.de/en/bmw-cars/products-models/5-series/e39-1996-2003/sedan/general-info/ should give you more info on the genuine article. Given the odometer hasn't moved at all since I first spotted this I'd be hesitant in paying anything more than $7k. No motor likes sitting around being ignored, and given the elapsed time since it's been regularly driven I'd anticipate a lot of preventative maintenance $ being spent before it would be reliable. Fuel pumps, seals, engine seals, brake lines, suspension bushes, shocks etc etc. Not saying this will definitely happen but I'd personally be very nervous. Still, there are bragging rights to be had in owning an 18 year old car with little more than run-in mileage

Would you be keen on parts + cash for the steering wheel mate?